Lucille's grows

Talented Museum District chef-owner serves up 2 exciting new Houston restaurants

Dawn Burrell Chris Williams Lucille's Hospitality Group

Chefs Dawn Burrell and Chris Williams.

Photo by Jenn Duncan

Houston chef Chris Williams is going to be busy in 2021. The chef-owner of Museum District favorite Lucille's announced that he's formed Lucille's Hospitality Group to open two new concepts in Houston, a restaurant in Nova Scotia, and an art gallery.

“It’s been a long road to get this point, and I am so grateful to be surrounded by a work family that not only shares LHG’s vision for the future, but fully understands the work required to make it happen,” Williams said in a statement. “The LHG perspective to the work is unique as nearly every single member comes from restaurant kitchens. We know how to grind!”

For Houstonians, the most intriguing new concept is Late August, which will be led by chef Dawn Burrell, who earned a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination for her work at downtown restaurant Kulture. Slated to open in late 2021, Late August will "explore the soul of Afro-Asian flavors." The menu combines Burrell's various experiences; the olympian-turned-chef has worked locally for Monica Pope and as a sous chef for Austin's acclaimed Japanese restaurant Uchiko.

Working together on Late August builds on a professional relationship the two chefs established in 2019 when they teamed up for the Food Apartheid Dinner Series with chefs Dominick Lee (formerly of Poitín), and Jonny Rhodes (Indigo). After leaving Kulture in early 2020, Burrell founded the Pivot meal kit delivery service; it will evolve into a pop-up series that will preview potential dishes for Late August, her first time project where she'll have an ownership stake.

“Being a part of this team is really a dream come true for me," Burrell said in a statement. "I get to do what I love to do with food creatively while also meeting the needs of so many people through Lucille’s 1913 [Williams' non-profit]. I’m excited to be apart of it.”

In addition to partnering with Burrell to open Late August, Williams will also Rado Cafe. Expected to open in the Third Ward in 2022, Rado will serve coffee, cocktails, and "cuisine with purpose," according to a release. Hogan Brown Gallery, a venue that will promote African American art and artists, will open as a companion to Rado.

Locations for both Late August and Rado Cafe will be announced soon, a representative tells CultureMap.

Before any of the new Houston projects open, Williams will launch Emile's Black Point Bistro in Nova Scotia. The pub will blend Lebanese influences, a nod to the founders' heritage, with local ingredients and modern techniques. It will open this spring.

In order to manage all of his new projects, Williams has tasked Lucille's chef de cuisine Khang Hoang with leading the restaurant's day-to-day operations. Josh Lopez has been promoted to general manager.

In addition to the new concepts, Williams has also expanded Lucille's 1913, the non-profit he founded with his brother Ben to feed Houstonians who have struggled during the pandemic. Galveston native Lawrence Walker serves as the organization's culinary director, and Robertine Jefferson brings 25 years of experience in fundraising to her role as the organization's director of development.

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arrivederci

Sophisticated Houston Italian eatery quietly closes after 3 years

Photo by Brian Kennedy

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An Italian restaurant in Uptown has served its last meal. Tavola has closed, its owner The Bastion Collection announced on social media.

“To our team, who brought heart to every service, and to our guests, who filled our dining room with connection, laughter, and a shared love of Italian cuisine — grazie for being part of our story,” the statement reads in part. “As we close this chapter, we are excited for what comes next and look forward to sharing more about the future of this space soon.”

Bastion Collection COO Deleon Pinto tells CultureMap in an email that closing Tavola is part of Bastion’s long term strategy for Houston. The company also operates two concepts at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston — Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant Le Jardinier and its casual sibling Cafe Leonelli — as well as Bar Moon and private events space Soleil that are both located above Tavola. All of those concepts remain open and are not affected by Tavola’s closure.

“As The Bastion Collection continues to evolve in Houston, the next phase centers on creative independence. The transition of the Tavola space has always been part of the long-term vision for the property following the development of Moon and Soleil on the second floor,” Pinto writes. “This next chapter reflects a continued investment in Houston and an opportunity to introduce concepts that further strengthen our presence in the neighborhood.”

A Bastion representative added that all of Tavola’s employees, including its chef and general manager, are currently working at either Le Jardinier or Cafe Leonelli and will be involved with the new restaurant that’s replacing Tavola when it’s ready to open. Details on the new concept will be released in the coming weeks.

Tavola opened in December 2023. Originally, Bastion partnered with Berg Hospitality (B&B Butchers, The Annie Cafe, Turner’s, etc) on the concept, but it took full control about a year after opening. The restaurant served upscale Italian fare, including endive salad with tuna, freshly made pastas, and chicken Milanese. It replaced the downstairs portion of La Table, a French fine dining restaurant that closed in 2022.

While Tavola may be gone, Uptown diners still have plenty of choices for Italian cuisine, including North Italia, Lombardi Cucina Italiana, Grotto, and il Bracco. Élephante, a coastal Italian concept from the Los Angeles-based Wish You Were Here Group, is expected to open in the nearby Central Park Post Oak development in 2028.

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